Tired and Fun

Monday, I was totally gassed.  I was so tired after Sunday!  I got up and swam and then went to work, then I got home and crashed for a few hours.  Finally got the shopping and such done, but I was dragging all day.  We managed to get all the prep done for David's birthday party, but I slept in the next morning!  

Tuesday, we went out to George Roger's Park to swim and play on the water.  David had some friends all come with us to play and snack and enjoy a beautiful day!  We stayed all afternoon, then headed home to grab stuff and change before heading to Water Polo.  

Wednesday was swimming and work and getting some recovery in!  In the evening, I coached water polo, then went to help out with the high school kids practice.  Dan has been super busy with work - he's working multiple jobs right now and I think he's getting burnt out pretty quickly.  He's also feeling useful and productive too, so we'll see how it all balances out.  

Thursday I had a work shift teaching an intro to Water Polo class at THPRD.  We had a fun time with the kids and at the end I also got to participate in an audit.  I got to pretend to get injured to see how the lifeguards respond to an emergency situation.  I got the kids in on it before so that they wouldn't freak out, and they thought it was great fun!  Then I swam and headed home.  David had water polo in the evening and then I went to Masters.  We had a great turnout and I had a ton of fun!!  

Friday morning I swam and really tired my back out, but it was a great work out!  Then work coaching grown up swim - we did a fun sprint set, and Evelyn came!  

Aaron is doing great with his CDL training.  He worked a lot on backing up this week and then had a test (that he passed of course) on Friday.  He is really enjoying this and already looking into potential jobs for when he's done!  

Saturday, I went with Aaron to Parkrose for water polo - it was a great group and we had a lot of fun! Dan went skydiving and had a great time, getting back just in time for the picnic. Then in the afternoon, we had the end-of-season picnic for THills water polo club, so we went and ate and played and had fun!  Then in the evening, Eileen and Dan and I went and met up with Ben and James to go see Supergirl.  It was good and we had fun!  

Today was wonderful!  We had a musical testimony meeting for church and it was wonderful - I think we could have easily done a full 2-hours of that, but we had to let the next ward in.  :)  Primary was quiet - we only had 3 kids, but we had fun singing and playing games.  Our afternoon was quiet with games and food and naps and such.  Eileen has been teaching Aaron how to draw cats and he's getting pretty good!  

Jones Family Reunion and Busy Weekend

Monday morning (after swimming and such) I spent a bunch of time packing and getting things ready to leave for Idaho.  Then after Dan finished meetings and Evelyn finished work, we drove off towards Idaho.  We stopped at some food trucks near a subway for dinner, then we finished the late drive into Burley area.  We got to our Airbnb and the code we had been given didn't work.  We couldn't get ahold of the people since it was 1:30 in the morning, so we got hotel rooms for the night and the next morning we got up for some breakfast before going back to bed for a bit.  We did a delayed check out and Dan and I went to the temple for some sealings with family.  Then we changed, packed up and headed to meet up with Jones family members at a nearby park so we could hang out and play until we could check in to the place we were staying for the reunion.  

We got to Albion, ID and found our rooms and got settled in, then had dinner and played some games and then had a surprise birthday party for Grandma Jones!  We had a blast sharing memories and partying together in celebration of her 80th birthday! 

The place we are staying also had a lot of animals including horses, peacocks, camels, cows and pigs (and baby piglets!)  The piglets were tiny and so cute and there were so many of them!!!  

The next morning was hot!  The place we are staying does a HUGE haunted house thing at Halloween and they are setting up for it year round, so they gave us a tour of them.  It was still pretty spooky even though it was daylight outside and we were only getting part of the experience.  The kids had a great time - Evie and James had fun trying to jump scare each other.  David screamed and cried and then said he LOVED it.  LOL

After a lunch of our Taquitoes and Burritoes (which were a hit) we went to swim in the pool - but it had started cooling off by then and the wind had picked up.  So after an hour or so, we gave up.  Then we played Jones Ball until dinner.  

We played some some minute to win it games, the played some volley ball and roasted marshmallows and as always with the Jones family, the nights ended in board games - including lots of Skull King.  

Thursday morning was breakfast and packing up and heading home.  We stopped at a park to eat our sack lunches, then got some snacks and finished the drive - getting in around 8 pm.  

Friday was back to the usual - Swimming, work, zumba, playing with friends and such.  Dan brought Evie and Aaron to grown up swimming which was a lot of fun!  In the afternoon, I took the boys to the dirt hills to ride their bikes for a bit before we came home for dinner.  Nicole and Peyton joined us too - we're trying to get rid of leftovers!  

Saturday, David had a tournament.  It was down at Newberg and the kids had a ton of fun!  The first game was a bit rough, but they won the last 2 games.  Both David and Paxton scored multiple times and between our last 2 games when we had a bigger break, we went to chick-fil-a for lunch and then to 7-11 for free slurpees!  It was a fun weekend and the kids all learned and grew a lot! 

After, Laura came over so we could talk a bit about the race and make sure we had everything we needed and so I could foist a few more of our leftovers off on her for dinner.  

Then I took Aaron and Evelyn and went to open polo.  It was a fun group - we played some decent water polo and had fun!  I was tired by the end, but it was great! 

Then Sunday morning - really early - I met up with Laura and we drove out to the river for her race!  She was doing the Portland Bridge Swim and I was her kayaker.  She busted her butt swimming 11 miles down the river in rather choppy water with way too much wind (though a gorgeous sunny day) while I paddled happily along beside her making sure she was safe and that she had everythings he needed - food, water, electrolytes, encouragment.  :)  She did amazing - finishing in less than 5 1/2 hours on her first ever race like this.  After the race, her boyfriend met us with flowers and food and a ride back to my car.  My only regret was that I actually wore my lifevest - too much chaffing!!  When I got out at the end - despire having felt like i was never working very hard, my arms and abs were tired and I was shaky getting out!  I went home for a bit of a nap before dinner and an evening of games with the family! 

The 4th and Pam

It has been a kinda crazy week.  Getting back into routines and such after vacation, while still prepping for the next one next week.  I got back to swimming - and finding a summer routine.  Dan and Aaron have been coming to my grown up swimming in the morning - it's been a good test at setting work outs that everyone can do and that can be adjusted for all levels.  

Evelyn has been loving her job at Terra Nova and is bringing home fresh produce all the time.  David has spent much of the week hanging out with friends - he had a sleepover with Landon one night and Paxton another night - then Paxton slept over here one night.  

Tuesday we got a call from my parents that my Aunt Pam was in the hospital.  She had been out walking and gotten into an argument with a neighbor that she has had issues with in the past.  The lady pushed her and since Pam was a nearly 80 year old woman, she fell and went unconscious.  She was taken to the hospital where they found a triple hematoma and she was in a coma.  The brain surgeon came the next day to see if it was possible to remove some of the brain in order to lesssen the pressure on the brain - unfortunatly, it was not possible and she was declared brain dead on Thurday.  My dad, knowing that Pam would never want to just be kept alive on life support, made the decision to take her off life support and she passed away less than half an hour later.  

We've been up in the air about what is happening and what will be happening.  I will go down for the funeral and also to help my parents with her house, but we don't know what the timeline for that will look like.  As hard as it is to lose her and in such an unexpected manner, I can't help but think that she would prefer this - quick and painless and without losing her independance and mobility - than a long drawn out illness or becoming debilitated and having to struggle with that.  

This weekend was the 4th of July - the observed holiday was Friday, so we had a fun evening together watching Sheep Detectives and I took Evelyn to get another piercing on her ears.  We had a fun afternoon together.  :)  

Saturday was the 4th of July.  David and Paxton hung out all day - we dyed Paxton's hair purple so he and David could be twins.  Then we got to talk to Anna for a bit - though the 4th of July in Canada isn't quite the same as the 4th of July in the US.  

In the evening we went to the Olsen's for dinner and fireworks.  We had lots of fun with friends and had lots of yummy food and then TONS of fireworks.  It was a fun and crazy night - we didn't get home until after 10pm - but it was a great weekend!  

Final days at the Cabin and then Home

Monday morning, we finished our campaign, then everyone else headed back down to Denver.  Julia was in the middle of trying to put an offer on a house from a distance and Sandi and the kids wanted to have a day with Grandpa before they needed to head back to OR.  

Burning the paper garbage is always one of the fun parts of packing up to go! 

It's been a wonderful trip!  We did a bunch more hiking up behind the cabin and searching for rocks and one last trip to Fairplay for Ice Cream. 

We spent the evening trying to get as much packed up as we could, then Wednesday morning, we began our trip home.  We stopped at Little America again for ice cream and playing and gas and souvenirs, then back on the road to Grandma and Grandpa's house.  We stopped for dinner at Chili's since there are none in Oregon, it was kind of our last chance to get Chili's for awhile.  

We got in late and they were already it bed - so we got settled in and went to bed.  The next morning, Grandma and Grandpa did a little birthday breakfast for David with donuts and candles and a present.   

Then we got on our way back home!  Aaron was a huge help with the driving, and we made it in safely at a pretty early hour since we gain an house coming this way.  We got home and unpacked and I still had time to get to Water Polo - which I really needed after 2 days in the car, but my shoulders weren't happy after 2 days in the car!  

Friday was starting to get into summer routines.  I went to swim and then to coach Grown Up swimming.  The numbers have been low on M/W/F but it was fun - especially since the staff at Somerset right now is mostly people I usually work with at the 50M pool.  I took Eileen and David to go to the grocery store for food for the weekend and David's birthday dinner and to let David pick out some hair dye.  Then all 3 of us went to get our hair trimmed.  Then we came back home and did a little birthday scavenger hunt for David's presents.  

After, we dyed his hair.  

He wanted Sushi for his birthday dinner and a 6-pack cake for his cake....  

After, I went to go coach the bronze practice for water polo - it's at the outdoor pool for the summer which is fun - but the weather was a bit cool after being drizzly all day, so the kids were a bit cold!  

Saturday was a crazy day.  Aaron and I went to Parkrose in the morning to play water polo.  We had a great group and a lot of fun playing.  After, I went home and made cookies for Dan and I to take to Dominico's party.  Then we headed over for an evening of good food and good company.   I had a great time, and Dan was a great sport about hanging out with a bunch of people who were mostly my friends.  

Since it was Anna's birthday, we also got to talk to her on the phone again!  We talked on the whole drive to the party and then I took her around so everyone could say hi to her before she had to go!  It was a bit strange - since her birthday is in the Summer, this is the first time that we haven't gotten to spend her birthday with her.  Her mission is offically split and she is now in the Canada, Halifax mission! 

After, Evelyn and I were going to go to Open Polo - but it turns out it's the Balloon Festival this weekend, so no Open Polo :(  But we had a nice drive and talk on the drive.  :) 

Sunday, David and I got up early to head up to Tacoma for a tournament.  He was sore after an evening of running around playing soccer, so he was hurting when he got in the pool to play.  Plus we were missing a lot of our strongest players and we had no subs.  So it was a rough set of games, but he scored once and they all did such a good job and learned so much! 

Purple Hair and purple lips - that water was COLD! 

Then we got on our way back home!   We drove back and got in pretty late, so we got David to bed and then got me to bed!  

Denver and the Cabin!

This week started out with a trip to the Denver Museum of Natures and Science.  We went into the special exhibit on the Giant Sauropods.   It was super interesting - it talked about a lot of things I hadn't really considered - like the mechanics of these HUGE bodies and how gravity affected blood flow and how much food they would need to cosume to fuel them.   We also spent time wandering around the space exhibit, which has changed quite a bit and had some fun new areas.  David was excited to go into the Egyptian exhibit and we explored mummies for a bit.  It's always been one of our favorite museums and we had a great time!!  

Mandatory picture with the statues outside - thankfully, it was a cool day and the metal wasn't too hot.  

Tuesday, the kids spent the morning sleeping in - I went to the store to get the stuff for potato salad and made that up before heading over to Grandpa's for a bit.  Then we went back to the air bnb to grab the food and head to Doug's place for a BBQ.  The food was great and the company even better!  Sandi and the kids arrived in time to come enjoy some food and some nerf gun wars with us.  Then in the evening, Sandi, Doug, Mark, Julia and I went to Karaoke.  We had a blast!!  It was a fun little place with lots of fun and encouraging people! 

Wednesday we all went to hike around Dinosaur Ridge.  It was hot and some of the kids didn't last very long.  But the hike was beautiful and we had fun together!  In the evening, we had a family dinner with Grandpa and the aunts and uncles and cousins at Grandpa's place.  We loved getting to talk and reminice about our time at the cabin and listening to the kids stories was so much fun!  

The next morning, we checked out and headed up to the cabin.  We stopped at Tiny Town along the way - and had fun wandering around, riding the train and playing on the playground.  I keep expecting my kids to grow out of the playground, but so far, they haven't, they had a blast with their cousins playing groundies.  

After getting up to the cabin, we got settled in and the kids went up to check out the changes to the old mine.  It's really gone...  It was a bit sad for all of us, there are still lots of places to look for and find cool rocks and pyrite, but the mine has totally changed.  

Friday morning, we went into Fairplay and went to South Park City.  

We explored all over and of course had fun climbing on the train and finding the answers to questions on the scavenger hunt.  After, we went walking around downtown fairplay - checking out the bead shop and some other fun little places along the street before we went to get ice cream.  It was a fun morning, then we went back up to the cabin for lunch and hiking and playing and maybe some napping.  :) 

Doug has been introducing the kids to Lord of the Rings.  James and Evelyn especially loved it, but we didn't get to the last one, so we told them they would have to watch with Dad when they got home.  

Saturday, we went out to Breckenridge.  We were trying to get all the things Evelyn wanted to do in before she flew back to OR to start her job and Terra Nova.  We went to an interactive art echibit in Breckenridge and wandered around the town.  

Then in the evening, we roasted marshmallows and had smores.  There was a fire ban, so we couldn't have a traditional fire.  It's so dry up there, the creek is already dry and it's only June.  But Doug had a little propane thing that we used and sang songs around.  It was a wonderful evening!!  

Sunday, we watched our own ward online instead of heading down to Frisco for church.  Ben Bennion and Taylor Starkey were giving their homecoming talks post mission and I wanted to hear those.  It was father's day, so we got to chat with Anna for awhile and she got to say hello to everyone up at the cabin.  Then Grandma took Evelyn and went back down to Denver to spend some time with Great Grandpa.  She got Evelyn to the airport and safely on her airplane.  Evie was a bit nervous, but made it home safely.  

That night, we started the DnD campaign that Mark had prepared for us.  We had a great time exploring and slaying monsters and goofing off together!  Doug acted as a little "angel" on David's shoulder, promting him with ideas and things he could do, but David did GREAT and had a blast and is talking about wanting to do it again.  

Last week of school and off on new adventures

The kids last week of school this week!  It was a mostly pretty chill week.  Dan was out of town for a conference for his new company ACVIM.  It is a company that works a lot with Veternarians, so he kept sending pictures of animals to us!  

We had our usual activities, swimming, work, water polo and friends.  Thursday was the last official day of school.  David had a friend invite him over for a last day of school party at his house.  He went and had fun playing games and eating food.  

I spent what little free time I had trying to get ready for the trip.  Started to pack things that could be packed and make lists for what to do and what to pack.  

James graduated from Middle School this week - he had lots of fun activities with his fellow graduating 8th graders, but didn't tell me about his graudation ceremony.  None of the other kids had one, so we didn't even know they were a thing and missed it. :(  James was super excited about his stuffed husky that he got and even more excited to be done with middle school!

David was bummed about the end of school.  He came out on the last day grumpy and sad.  And not happy about me taking his picture....  

Friday morning, we got up and finished up all our packing, then headed out for Idaho and an overnight stay with Grandma and Grandpa Jones who planned a little Graduation surprise for Aaron - complete with cake and balloons and a gift.  

Saturday, we made the long haul into Colorado (Thank goodness for Evie and Aaron being willing and able to drive!!)  We stopped at Little America for gas and ice cream and some playing.  We got in late, but not too miserably late.  We got settled into the airbnb in Denver, and I still had time to run to King Soopers to be able to get food for the next couple days.  

Sunday, we went to a nearby building for church.  While we were there, I realized that we knew the organist!  It was the kids old piano teacher Stephanie Hendrickson.  It was fun to see her and chat with her for a couple minutes.  Church was great and then we went back to the air bnb to eat and wait for Grandma to get in.  We went over to Grandpa's place for the afternoon to see him and play at the park.  We had brought a volleyball and football to play with, plus the playground was great for groundies.  Then in the evening, Doug and Julia and Mark came over for a bit to hang out.  David ended up doing a sleepover with Mark at Doug's house.  

Aaron's done!

This was Aaron's last week - he still had seminary in the mornings, and he a few senior things to go to, but, he didn't have much going on this week for school since Auto tech is most of his class load right now.  Graduation was this week, but he decided to not walk for graduation, so Evie went to play with the band, and Aaron didn't....   lol

Tonight was his seminary graduation though.  He had to go to that, mom needs something.  :)  He graduated and I only cried a little.  It was helped by the fact that he got a bloody nose right before they started calling up the graduates.....  

David had his last day of swim lessons this week.  After spending the entire second session being mad at me for signing him up, he managed to get another level up and started talking about maybe doing them again....  It was funny, I was watching then they handed him his card so i could see his reaction, so I watched his face light up when he saw his new level.  Then I went downstairs to meet him, and when he came out of the locker room, he tried to play it off and act all cool.  He said casually "well, I guess I'm just too good!"  It was so funny!  

He had water polo practice on Friday and Saturday and had a great time - he's getting better and better.  He and Paxon had a fun time on Saturday, but Paxton couldn't make Friday because of a baseball game.  

Evelyn has kept busy with friends and getting ready for the end of the school year.  Dan is keeping busy with his new job and his time spent as the admin for THills water polo and running and helping keep our family going! 

Friday night after David's water polo, Dan and I went to the Wilde's house for a game night and had a great time with friends playing games.  

I've been keeping busy with work and coaching and family - and I'm looking forward to this trip and a chance to get away from it all for a bit!  I spent some time this week getting things ready - there's still a ton to do, but I'm feeling a bit less stressed.  The hard part is figuring out how to get everything done without Dan!  

Dan is leaving town tomorrow for a trip for his new company.  It's funny, this is the first job change he's had that hasn't included a huge move and life change for the rest of us.  

Counting Down

The kids are really starting to get eager for the end of school.  Less than 2 weeks now.  This week, the kids had no school on Monday, so I took Evelyn out swim suit shopping - she has plenty of suits, but they are all for swimming, not leisure, and/or they are Anna's.  So we hit a few stores until we found something she liked.   Then I took Eileen grocery shopping.  Dan went and played games in the evening with friends, but my energy was all gone by that point, so I just stayed home and called it an early night.  

Tuesday was a mostly casual day - school, work, coaching score, all the stuff.   

Wednesday was busy as usual, school, work, water polo, friends and such.  Aaron also had his CDL orientation meeting and dinner.  Dan went since I had coaching.  We are so excited for Aaron getting into this program and excited to see him eagerly pursuing this path!

Thursday was my lazy day, slept in, got David to school, took a nap and then went to work.  After, David and I forgot about his swim lessons and, so we kinda had a lazy afternoon too.  In the evening, I went to play water polo.  Eileen and Aaron went to Institute and Evelyn went to SWAT.  

Aaron really seems to be enjoying going to the YSA ward and their activities.  It's neat seeing him take these steps into adulthood.  

Saturday, David had water polo, I took him and Paxton to their scrimmage - they are both getting much better and doing so well!  They love the scrimmage part - much more than just the practice.  :) 

In the evening, Evelyn went to Mormon Prom with a group of friends and their dates.  They all had a great time!  They also stopped by our house early for some snacks and games.  

Sunday was msotly quiet.  Church was wonderful!  In the afternoon, I had to go to a Head Guard in-service.   It was fun, then I got home for dinner and games and now... bed time.  :)

Birthday Boy

This week, Evelyn had her State band competition.  They took 2nd in State!  I'm so glad she gets to be a part of this amazing band program.  

Tuesday was Dan's birthday.  Evelyn made the cake.  We had a fun evening together!  We are so blessed to have him in our family!  

The week progressed as normal - with me still feeling tired and like I was recovering from last weekend's tournament, until Thursday.  Thursday, there was a fire in the shop room at Mountainside and the school was shut down and all indoor activities cancelled for the weekend.  Varsity track Districts still happened since it was outdoors.  Amelia and Megan did awesome!  

Friday night, James had a sleepover with a friend - Alex and David slept over at Paxton's house, so we had a pretty empty house! 

Friday night, Dan got us tickets to go on a Haunted Shanghai tunnels tour in Old Town Portland.  We went with Marcos and Gabi and had a great time!  After, we went to the Melting Pot for dinner - we left, happy, stuffed and excited to do another double date sometime! 

Saturday morning, the youth had a temple trip, so I tagged along.  I'm so glad our kids have such awesome friends in the area! 

The play that Evie's friend Natalie was in was supposed to have 4 more performances and they had to cancel them.  :(  The drama teacher managed to figure out a way to try to do one last performance outside in the courtyard for anyone who wanted to come.  Evelyn went, and I stopped by after Parkrose water polo.  The kids did an amazing job and the outdoor venue ended up being really fun!  

In the evening, I went to open polo with Aaron.  

Sunday was a busy day - the ward choir was singing today, so we practiced before church today and performed during Sacrament meeting - they did an awesome job!!  Also, I was giving a talk today.  While I really don't like speaking, I do love the Old Testament, so if I have to speak, at least I get to talk about the Old Testament!!!  Primary was fun, then after, we went home for lunch and some games with James and the kids who wanted to play.  

Aaron has decided to start going to the YSA ward and it's activities.  It's fun to see him making his steps into adulthood.  

In the afternoon, Dan and I went to go visit a friend of Dan's from High School who is in the hospital up here after his 3rd surgery for brain cancer.  We had a great visit and his friend seemed really glad to see him. 

After, we had dinner and scriptures and more games and now to bed!!!  

Friends and Water Polo and Pole Vaulting and stuff.... oh my!

Monday, I got to meet up with Emily and Sara for lunch.  It is always wonderful getting together with them! We went to an Indian place and the food was great, but not as great as the company!  

Evelyn had JV Districts for track this week - she placed 1st in JV and got a PR jumping 8'6".  It's so much fun to watch her grow in the sport!  The weather was on and off rainy all day, but it held off for her jumping! 

On Friday, David had water polo and the school was having their Spring Fair, so we hurried over after water polo to check out the book fair, get his face painted, play with friends and have some fun.  He asked to have his face painted like a monkey since he's my little monkey!  

This weekend was my masters tournament.  Two days, 8 games and 3 teams.  :)  I was there playing with the co-ed masters team, but I also helped out with a couple of the women's teams during their games.  So by the end of the week, I was exhausted!!!  Between games, we had a great time hanging out together.  We got brunch at a great little place called Word of Mouth - it was an hour wait, but we had a fun time.  We only won our last game, but we had a great time!  

While I was down in Salem, Dan was being an amazing dad.  He let David and his friend, but Paxton's little brother Payton and his friend Aden come over and decorate cakes.  They had a blast and used barely any frosting, but insane quantities of sprinkles....  

Since we have been unable to get the organ working, and I finally said, he could get rid of it, Dan let the boys dismantle it and explore it's inner workings.  They had fun messing around with it, and now we have more room in our front room.....  Now it just needs furniture....